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The grieving wife of murdered soldier Lee Rigby today spoke for the first time of her heartbreak over his death.

Through tears, Rebecca Rigby described her “love” for her husband and said she was “proud” to be married to him.

Despite reports the couple had separated, the mother of their two-year-old son Jack, said: “I love Lee and always will.

‘I am proud to be his wife and he was due to come up this weekend so we could continue our future together as a family. He was a devoted father to our son Jack and we will both miss him terribly.”

Drummer Rigby from Langley, Greater Manchester, was with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. He had served in Afghanistan and was attached to the regimental recruiting team when he was hacked to death on Wednesday. Mrs Rigby added: “You don’t expect it to happen when he’s in the UK. You think they’re safe. His proudest moments were serving in London on the ceremonials with the drum corps.”

Mrs Rigby gave the emotional interview at the headquarters of his unit in Bury, Greater Manchester, where she was accompanied by the soldier’s stepfather Ian Rigby and mother Lyn, a cleaner. Mr Rigby revealed that in the last text the soldier sent to his mother, he told her how much he loved her and thanked her for supporting him.

Fighting back tears Mr Rigby, who works for Morrisons, said: “The last text he sent to his mum read, ‘Goodnight mum, I hope you had a fantastic day today because you are the most fantastic and one-in-a-million mum that anyone could ever wish for.

‘Thank you for supporting me all these years, you’re not just my mum you’re my best friend. So goodnight, love you loads’.”

The 54-year-old said: “We would like to say goodnight Lee, rest in peace our fallen soldier, we love you loads and words cannot describe how loved and sadly missed you will be.”

Earlier Mr Rigby said that the soldier, who joined up in 2006, was their hero. “When Lee was born the family adored him, he was a precious gift given to us. Lee’s dream growing up was always to join the Army, which he succeeded in doing.

“He was dedicated and loved his job. Lee adored and cared a lot for his family, he was very much a family man, looking out for his wife, young son Jack, younger sisters, whom in turn they looked up to him. He always had a banter with them but would never ever let any harm come to them. He was over the moon being a dad and uncle, he adored them all.”

Struggling to contain his emotion, he continued: “Lee was a man who loved people. He had many friends growing up in Middleton and on Army duties all over the world.

“He believed life was for living and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.” His two younger sisters Courtney and Amy wrote: “Rest in Peace Lee, we loved you so much, you didn’t deserve this, you fought for your country and did it well. You will always be our hero we are just upset you left us so early. Love you Lee, goodnight.”

Another sister, Chelsea, was also not at the press conference.

Drummer Rigby married in 2007 but had apparently separated from his wife and had started seeing a woman who is serving with the Royal Military Police in Afghanistan. She was today flying back to Britain. He married Rebecca in her home village of Southowram, near Halifax.

They are understood to have separated shortly after the birth of their son and he had recently begun a relationship — although his estranged wife had been hoping for a reconciliation.

Drummer Rigby’s mother sat next to her husband clutching a teddy, similar to ones he used to collect for his son Jack. She bought the toy today at the Fusiliers museum where the press conference was held, and named it Lee. The regiment is due to be scrapped as part of defence cuts.

His sister, Sara McClure, 24, held her mother’s hand and the family were also joined by two other relatives. Mr Rigby was asked how he found out about the tragedy.

He said: “As soon as it was on the telly we were attempting to get hold of Lee, obviously we couldn’t and it was the middle of the night probably when we got confirmation it was Lee.”